Mihail Maklyarskiy Soviet screenwriter. Date of Birth: 16.11.1909

1. Early Life and Education
2. Service in the NKVD
3. Arrest and Imprisonment
4. Military Service and Espionage
5. Post-War Activities
6. Career in Film and Literature
7. Screenwriting and Filmmaking
8. Death and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Isidor Maklyarsky was born on November 3 (16), 1909, in Odessa, Ukraine, into a tailor's family. In 1924, he joined the border guard troops. In 1932, he graduated from the law faculty of the Central Asian University in Tashkent and remained there as a lecturer.

Service in the NKVD

From 1927 to 1947, Maklyarsky served in various capacities within the OGPU, NKVD, and MGB of the USSR. In 1934, he became an officer in the Secret Political and Counter-Intelligence Departments of the Main Directorate of State Security (GUGB) of the NKVD.

Arrest and Imprisonment

On May 1, 1937, Maklyarsky was arrested on charges of involvement in a Trotskyist organization. However, he was released on August 10 after the charges were dismissed as unfounded. From September 1939, he served as head of the 2nd Department of the Border Guard Directorate of the NKVD.

Military Service and Espionage

During World War II, Maklyarsky held various positions in the NKVD, including head of the 3rd Department of the 4th Directorate. He directed intelligence and sabotage operations in occupied Belarus and participated in disinformation campaigns. In 1943, he was promoted to Colonel of State Security.

Post-War Activities

Maklyarsky retired from service in 1947. He became chairman of the "Exportfilm" association and director of the USSR State Film Fund. On November 6, 1951, he was arrested on charges of involvement in a Zionist conspiracy and imprisoned until November 16, 1953.

Career in Film and Literature

Maklyarsky entered the film industry in 1947. He became a member of the Union of Writers of the USSR and graduated from the Maxim Gorky Higher Literary Courses in Moscow in 1956. He authored several plays and novels about spies and security officers.

Screenwriting and Filmmaking

Maklyarsky co-wrote numerous detective and adventure films. In 1960, he founded and became the first director of the Higher Courses for Screenwriters and Directors in Moscow. In 1978, he drew on his experiences in foreign intelligence for the screenplay of the film "Agent of the Secret Service."

Death and Legacy

Isidor Maklyarsky passed away on June 2, 1978. He was a decorated filmmaker and an influential figure in Soviet intelligence and literature.